Across the Ages: Book One Ch. 02

"Thank you," she said as she untied the meal. Leon purred loudly as he devoured every morsel.

"Brianne said he was a pet of yours," Blake began, "but he wouldn't come within 10 feet of us. Wouldn't even eat the scraps we left out for him."

"That sounds about right," Rene replied as she stroked the cat. "He won't eat anything unless he killed it himself or it comes from your hand."

"And I thought I was a picky eater," Blake chuckled, holding out a palm to Leon. Unlike his meeting with Brianne, Leon immediately rubbed against Blake. It was as if he had been waiting for Rene's permission to accept him. Both Blake and Rene smiled as the lynx looked back and forth for each of them to show him affection. After a few minutes, Leon curled up against Rene and fell asleep from exhaustion.

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Despite their slow start, they were able to make it back to the castle by the end of the third day. Rene made them circle around to the back entrance of the grounds to avoid a scene in the marketplace. Her cheeriness had fallen away the closer they got to the palace; and now that she was home, fear engulfed her.

She knew her father's fury would be horrendous but stall as she may, the confrontation was eminent. Her head was bowed timidly as she led the way from the stables through the servants entrance. The staff greeted her with words of praise and sorrow but they fell on empty ears. The princess they knew and loved would soon be gone forever, killed by the hand of her father in the name of holy matrimony. A bitter taste filled her mouth at that thought; she was unaware she had been biting her lip. The princess quickly wiped the blood from her mouth and stopped at the first station of guards.

"Please inform His Majesty, that I have returned with his daughter," Blake commanded the troops at the door. "We will wash and join him for supper." The two men saluted him then turned on their heels and walked away.

"If I may, my lady," Brianne inquired hesitantly, "I will wash up in my own chamber?"

Rene nodded at her request and Brianne squeezed her shoulder comfortingly as she passed. Blake placed his hand in the small of her back, and she begrudgingly led them towards her chambers.

Once they arrived, Alexander walked into the double room opposite of Rene's. It had been empty for some time, but must be where the king had instructed them to stay. Blake opened the door for her and she led the way into her quarters. Rene was not surprised when he stepped in behind her. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight now. This made her smile slightly. He knows that much about me, at least, she thought as she made her way to her wardrobe. Opening the doors, she pulled a dress from the very back. It was mostly black with accents of red and silver throughout its details. She was making a statement: she had not worn this dress since her mother's wake. It was a symbol of loss and death, and she sincerely hoped her father noticed that she had saved it for this precise moment.

This had been her intent for the gown ever since her father made mention of his plan. Her seamstress had suggested she use the gown for scrap, but Rene had insisted it be altered to fit her much more mature frame. This is how she wanted her father to remember her: in painful mourning. Rene laid the ornate gown on her bed as someone knocked on the door. Blake and Alexander exchanged posts, and she excused herself to her bathroom to wash.

After her bath, Rene dried her hair with a towel and ran a brush through her tangled tresses. With delicate fingers, she braided and twisted her rich, brown hair into an elegant bun. Once she was satisfied, she donned her towel and cracked open the door to her suite.

"Alex?"

"No. It's me."

"Oh," she muttered, suddenly very shy. "Blake, will you hand me my gown?"

"Of course." She could her hear his boots on the stone floor and before long, he handed her the garment through the small opening. She took it and quickly wished Brianne had not gone to her own chamber: the dress needed tied in the back. Sighing, she emerged from the bath using her hands to hold the top up.

"I need you to help me tie this," she said plainly, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible. He raised his head as he sat by her private fireplace. When he rose, she couldn't help but gawk at his changed appearance. He had drastically altered his look from head to toe; now he came across more like a suitor than a bodyguard.

His boots were polished with silver rivets up the side that matched the buttons on his coal black jacket. There was a red sash fastened over the front that draped behind him like a cape. It billowed behind him as he walked with a confidence beyond his stature. The collar of his undershirt was crisp and white in contrast to his golden skin. It had never occurred to Rene how oddly tan he was for an Englishman. The stubble that had been growing upon his cheek was now cleanly shaven and his dark but lightly golden hair was still damp from his wash. She delighted in how naturally his wavy, brown locks played around his eyes. God, his eyes! They were so mesmerizing to her. This was not the first time she had found herself caught in his gaze, unable to look away. He was standing in front of her now, one side of his mouth curving upwards into an proud smirk as she took in every aspect of him. She hadn't remembered him being that much taller than her, and she was not short by any means.

"I clean up well, do I not?" She blushed and smiled, revolving so he could tie the back of her gown.

"I was merely comparing the differences; but yes, you do look rather presentable." She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see him grin but he was already concentrating on her open backed dress. Before she could instruct him, she felt his large hands near her waist. He aptly began to work the laces into an intricate weave, tightening the bodice as he worked his way up. Rene could feel his warm breath upon her back and she shivered at the sensation. With one final tug, Blake twisted the satin strings into graceful bow at the top of her gown.

"There," he said, stepping back to look at his handiwork. "That's about the best I can do."

"Thank you," Rene replied, walking to her mirror. "It looks perfect."

"So do you, my lady." Rene looked at his eyes then, blushing when she saw the utmost sincerity.

"Thank you," she said again.

"This is the first time you've actually looked like a princess."

"This is the first time you haven't looked like a bodyguard," she mocked playfully.

"Well ma'am, I'm not just your bodyguard." He paused, gauging her reaction.

"Oh?" She wasn't sure what to expect.

"I'm a knight," he revealed, bowing graciously, "for your service and protection, your highness." She gasped, both awestruck and enlightened. This explained so much; his cousin being of lesser rank, his uncanny skill with a blade, his chivalrous behavior, his exquisite attire. She was surprised she had not put it together sooner, but found herself blessing the fact that they had gotten to know each other at such an informal level. Determined to not let this truth change their building relationship, she knelt to touch his face. He gradually raised his vibrant green eyes to meet her own deep chocolate ones. They were swirling with confusion and intrigue as he had not expected this outcome.

"I'm honored," she cooed. "But Blake?"

"Yes?"

"Never call me 'your highness' again." He chuckled, dropping his gaze for a moment. When he looked back up, the jade of his eyes sparkled with admiration and a bit of something else; she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Before she could deliberate much more, there was a knock at the door.

"That'll be Alexander. We mustn't keep your father waiting."

"Of course. We wouldn't want him to think us rude." Blake laughed aloud before calling to his fellow guard outside.

"Anon, Alex! We come!" He stood, helping the princess rise as he did so. Walking over to her dresser, he opened the glass box that held her crown. He delicately removed the diadem and returned to her side.

"May I?" Rene looked dotingly into his eyes and smiled her reply.

"Now you are ready to stare down a king." The smile of the princess grew to a remarkable size at this sentiment, for now she knew he was on her side. Rene held her head a little higher as she walked to the door, to her impending doom, with her guardian knight following in her graceful wake.

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Thanks to everyone that read and voted for my first post! Sorry, no sex yet but it's REALLY important for me to develop these characters in the first book ;) ;) Trust me when I say I've got a HUGE plan! Thanks again and don't forget to vote!!

<3 MissLanae